Customer Reviews

Fundamental / Fundamentalism (Arg)

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Considering the opportunity PSB had to really break loose and finally find a home in the new retro/electrohouse genre, I was a bit disappointed with the main disc here. Madonna, Andy Bell, Lasgo, Infernal--they've all released amazing albums that capture the essence of the 80s while still sounding modern. PSB have had dance masterpieces like "It's a Sin" and "So Hard", but all that brilliance seems to have gotten lost in a campy/big broadway show tune feel with their efforts over the last decade.

Things start off promising on FUNDAMENTAL with "psychological", a moody, depeche mode-esque track. Sodom and Gomorrah will quickly grow on you--it almost has a rock/orchestral ELO feel to it. "I Made My Excuses and Left" is slow and boring. "Minimal" is excellent, reminding me of Neil's time with Electronic. "Numb"--well, the title says it all. Boring and slow. "God Willing" is an interlude, running only a minute and 17 seconds. "Luna Park," another slow track! (but better than the others). "I'm With Stupid"--modest dance track, but a good lead off single, if not a little cheesy. "Casanova in Hell"--another slow track. "Twentieth Century", another moody track with a soft electronic synth rhythm. "Indefinite Leave to Remain" is another slow song, with that dramatic show tune feel. A few slow tunes are okay, but PSB can get really monotonous when they slow things down. "Integral"--BRILLIANT way to end the album. A rockin electro house tune with heavy percussion, a throbbing synth bass, and orchestral hits. Now THAT'S the PSB I remember--and of which I wanted more.

The bonus disc has not only remixes from the album, but also tracks drawn from other sources. "Fugitive" as remixed by Richard X is exactly what I expected from the whole FUNDAMENTAL album--an electro/synth/retro dance masterpiece. "Sodom" gets a driving electro mix, but is not really a sing along track. "Psychological" gets a dance mix that is somewhat trippy--not a full fledged club track. "Flamboyant" is really out of place here--this mix sounds dated, like stuff they were releasing five years ago. "I'm With Stupid" is not a particularly catchy mix--the original is much better. This one is too moody. "In Private" is quite a dramatic dance track--and a duet with Elton John!!! A real treasure. "Minimal" should have been left alone--this is a trippy mix. "Gomorrah"--a really painfully slow mix.

So all in all, you get about half and half from each disc--compile the best tracks from both discs together and you'll have the ultimate FUNDAMENTAL release.

P.S.: i must say it's sad that people use this space to attack other reviewers rather than just politely state their opinions about a product. The reviewer who sarcastically called me "genius" should talk--considering my mention of Madonna and Lasgo was put in quotes, yet the words were paraphrased and not at all what I had actually said. I also never said PSB should not have ballads on their albums--but I did say I felt too many of their slow songs get boring. And my guess is the reviewer is uninformed and hasn't even LISTENED to the other artists' albums I mentioned, and just jumps to conclusions about their worth by sarcastically calling them "pop masterpieces."

See...that's how a real genius properly quotes another person....

Ah, and so they're back... Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe of the Pet Shop Boys: The golden boys of pop. It's been four years of patient waiting, and almost exactly a year since the boys starting recording this one in their studio in London, it's finally and surely been released. The name of the album? A sleek Fundamental, which features a dozen new tracks - 11 new Tennant/Lowe compositions and one track, "Numb" written by Diane Warren ("Numb" was originally planned to be one of the two new tracks on PopArt).

Ok, so it's pretty obvious the duo have always had some kind of fascination with single one word titled albums - so far, all of their impressive nine studio albums have had one word titles. And apparently no word in the English dictionary is safe from the PSB choice for album name: From 1986 debut titled an interesting Please (please give this new disco duo a chance?) to the bizarrely named Very in 1993. So, not much surprise there with the title, Fundamental. But what's different this time around is, unlike some of the last, this name does seem to have less of a cryptic meaning behind it.

In tune with the tracks on this album (which are heavily laced with political commentary), Fundamental is a reference to the religious fundamentalism that led to the events of 9/11, and the subsequent `War on Terror'. The lyrics are therefore expectedly political, but mostly - as is with all PSB lyrics - are not always strictly what they seem. There are many tracks (if not all) on this album that will need reading between the lines, as many political rants are used as metaphors to personal stories and experiences. And of course, us fans have always appreciated PSB for that. Who would forget the clever "Only The Wind" - which is about domestic violence (`It's only the wind blowing litter all around / Just a little wind and the trees are falling down') - or the interesting "I Get Along", where the lyrics, although on the surface seem like a post-breakup song supposedly refer to British Prime Minister Tony Blair's firing of cabinet member and close friend Peter Mandelsohn over questionable loan arrangements - effectively turning that incident into a real-life metaphor for "regretful love".

In addition to being excited about the clever lyrics, fans also can relish the fact that Fundamental reunites Tennant and Lowe with legendary producer Trevor Horn, who first worked with them on the seminal "Left To My Own Devices" in 1988. So now the question is... does this album live up to the previous phenomenal results of the collaboration? The answer is yes, it probably even surpasses all expectations.

Even before listening to Fundamental, it would be clearly obvious to fans that this album is without a doubt inspired by the darker side of life. The CD sleeve is almost completely black, and features Tennant (dressed as a nineteenth century undertaker) and Lowe looking rather solemn. And that's just the visuals. Pop the CD in, and "Psychological" will take you into the audial journey of darkness.

This album is definitely more than just "I'm With Stupid" - the famous first single off the album which is a take on Tony Blair's close relationship with American President George W. Bush. It is definitely one of the best up-tempo very PSB-sounding songs on here, but the bottom line is that every single song on this album is sheer delight. "Psychological" is a steady mid-tempo start to the album, a pure electronica track that sounds quasi-Kraftwerk. Mixed with paranoid and sometimes odd questions and statements and the simple repetitive synth lines, "Psychological" is not doubt a different direction for PSB, and purists can rest assured that not the whole album is such. From old-school synth-pop track "Minimal" to "Luna Park"(a metaphor for America) to "Casanova In Hell" which is a sweet slow song, a lovely reminder of the classic "Liberation", this album really has no standout track because every single track is just that good. Though I must say that quite a few tracks on here are very new-sounding PSB - "The Sodom and Gomorrah Show", "I Made My Excuses and Left" and "Twentieth Century" sport a sound that is reminiscent of the sounds of the recent Release.

This album is a feast for the senses for any listener, regardless if you're a fan of the band and/or the genre or not. To put it short, this is one album to own - if you can appreciate good music, you will be listening to this one for a long time to come. So until the next album from the legendary PSB arrives, we will be dancing to this whilst we ponder the question: What will be the next word PSB is going to pick for the title of their next album?

Being a rabid Pet Shop Boys devotee from the very beginning, it does not come easy for me to declare that Fundamental is the culmination of everything that makes them great. I have loved every cd they have released, finding each with only the rarest flaw (usually one or two less than good songs). Fundamental is the exception. Every song is a well-crafted piece of music-art. Not one single throw-away.

Adding to the creative fire that Neil and Chris have lit, legendary producer/musician Trevor Horn knows just what to do with every spark. The whole thing is sexy and groovy without ever being too slick. And while Fundamental is full of danceable goodness, it is irresistably intimate. It moves your heart as much as it moves your body.

I dare not deconstruct the cd song by song. It is enough to say that each song is bursting with everything that makes music addictive. You'll start by tapping a foot and end up singing along at the top of your lungs! The melodies grab you quickly and won't let go.

The Boys are still having fun but Fundamental is the result of songwriters reaching maturity. Like red wine, our Pet Shop Boys only get better with age.

DISC ONE (FUNDAMENTAL):
01- Psychological - 4:10
02- The Sodom And Gomorrah Show - 5:19
03- I Made My Excuses And Left - 4:53
04- Minimal - 4:20
05- Numb - 4:43
06- God Willing - 1:17
07- Luna Park - 5:31
08- I'm With Stupid - 3:24
09- Casanova In Hell - 3:13
10- Twentieth Century - 4:39
11- Indefinate Leave To Remain - 3:08
12- Integral - 3:53
(DISC ONE TOTAL TIME: 48:05 Min)

DISC TWO (FUNDAMENTALISM):
01- Fugitive (Richard X Extended Mix) - 6:06
02- Sodom (Trentemoller Remix) - 7:24
03- Psychological (Alter Ego Remix) - 7:13
04- Flamboyant (Michael Mayer Kompakt Mix) - 7:57
05- I'm With Stupid (Melnyk Heavy Petting Mix) - 6:07
06- In Private (Stuart Crichton Club Mix) - 5:07
07- Minimal (Lobe Remix) - 4:47
08- Gomorrah (Dettinger Remix) - 5:39
(DISC TWO TOTAL TIME: 50:03 Min)

Packaging/Features:
- Glossy Black Slipcover
- 18-Page Glossy & Vibrant Liner Notes Booklet w/full Lyrics + enlarged vers. of front cover
- Glossy Black Opaque Double Jewel Case
- Disc One is Fluorescent Pink and Disc Two is Fluorescent Orange
- Parlophone/EMI Music
- Made in EU
- PETSHOPBOYS.CO.UK

Fundamental/Fundamentalism is an excellent album with fine songs, which are either sexy, laid-back or right up there in the dance-floor category. Tracks 1 and 4 are the best. Track 1 starts out almost like Depeche Mode's "Policy of Truth" but with a faster beat. Track #6 (God Willing) is not a song at all. It's deceiving and ends as soon as it starts. Sounds like one of those huge dancefloor celebrations, but it's not. Don't let it deceive you. I had to go back and check to make sure I didn't miss something. PSB offer an eclectic mix of mood & color with the tracks on this album, balanced between dramatic ballads and sultry, stunning anthems. I'm a little disappointed in the comparison between this album and anything PSB have done before the "Release" album. Considering Trevor Horn produced this album, I thought it would be a lot more dancy and unforgettable. Most of the songs on here, I won't remember before the next time I play the album. Even "Release" moved me more than this. At least PSB are still around after all these years, and that's why I bought the CD (to support them and their music). Sound quality is great, though. Neil still sounds as though he recently began singing (his voice is fresh and smart). The Anthems are memorable, although they do need a couple of listens before you can know for sure how you feel about them.

As for CD Two, I love it. "Fugitive" is beautiful and should've been on Disc One. "Sodom" follows in track 1's foosteps. What can I say? After playing the entire 2CDs, I feel happier, having heard Disc Two. The songs are all great and the CD is going to be in my Discman for a long time. At least the remixes don't sound like songs torn apart and spat out. Two Thumbs Up, to PSB and all the artists who've contributed with the mixes. Fantastic! Overall, Fundamental is a great album but not their best. It makes me laugh. On the sticker on the front, it says it's their best album in over a decade. I think not! There are too many gaps between "Anthem" type of songs, meaning the faster-paced songs. But I've got faith in PSB and will continue to support them and their music. I do recommend "Closer to Heaven" (written by Pet Shop Boys), as well as Release", Release", Very", "Behavior" and "Bilingual". These are the best PSB releases to date. Do buy Fundamental and listen to it carefully. You will agree with me about both discs.

This is no "Very," but then the Boys are very honest with their emotions and assessment of pop culture. It is a very bleak time for the world, mostly because of the Bush administration. In case you missed the seed for this album, I suggest you listen again to "I'm With Stupid," a perfect lyrical doppelganger where brainwashing begins to take it's toll about halfway through - "Is stupid really stupid, or just a different kind of smart..." - Cheney psy-ops at their best (worst?) - and Luna Park (the best track on the album) is a sad, elegant ode to the inevitable end of the world - "a storm is coming soon..." - and a sort of redemption for Neil, who mistakenly supported Blair when he gave Bush his support for attacking Iraq. Face it - it's hard to have the "happy go lucky" feel of "Very" in a fascist state complete with torture, loss of individual rights and the slaughter of 70,000+ people. This album will resonate - maybe not just the fabulous bombast of "Sodom and Gomorrah" - but with the sad, elegant sentiments of "Numb." They have never sold out, and this satisfying but challenging album proves that their only muse is their telling take on the state of humanity. Beautiful, sad, and true.

Wow- that's the first reaction I had to this album.

I agree that's it's up there with the best of theirs, but really, they've never made a bad album. The fact that the PSB can integrate political satire into pop music so subtly is quite an accomplishment. I also appreciate that the political message isn't heavy handed - all of these songs can be interpreted different ways (with the exception of Integral, which is 'in your face', and rightly so. Good for them.)

Anyhow, I think Fundamental is great, with the exception of Numb. You wouldn't have had to tell me someone else wrote it- the lyrics aren't smart enough. I tend to favor their ballads, so it's no upset to me that the album isn't as dancy as some would have hoped. As ballads go, this album has some great ones. 'Luna Park' and 'Indefinite Leave to Remain' are gorgeous. There are memorable moments all throughout the album, one in particular, the break midway through 'Minimal'- a beautiful PSB moment, and the opening to 'I Made my Excuses and Left' is unexpected, and wonderfully done. What brings me back to their music over and over is those lush, beautifully orchestral melodies in PSB songs, and this album has plenty of them. Also, Neil Tennant's voice just seems to get more lovely with age. I was playing "After All" from Battleship Potemkin for a friend of mine recently and the moment Tennant's vocals began, he said, "God, that voice!" It's bliss.

'Fugitive' on disc 2 would have done well on disc 1. Great song.

The last time our beloved Pet Shop Boys dropped a full length, all-new album was 4 long years ago. 2002's melancholy "Release" saw PSB shy away from the dance floor & pick up their acoustic guitars- to the disappointment of fans who revel in the band's high-energy dance club anthems. Now, after a greatest hits compilation, a remix collection, a mostly-instrumental film soundtrack, & various other projects, "Fundamental" is being called the return of classic Pet Shop Boys.

So- is it classic PSB? Yes and no. Is it good? Here and there. For fans who are looking for upbeat disco anthems in classic PSB style, you will be disappointed. Out of 12 tracks, only 4 are fast. So if you're not crazy about the first single, "I'm With Stupid," you only have 3 more shots. This is where the bonus disc becomes essential. "Fundamentalism" contains 8 excellent club remixes of album and non-album tracks that should please every Pet-head. Most of these remixes even include full vocals- not just monotonous loops. A+

A few points of interest about the first disc:

"Numb," bizarrely enough is a song written by hit-maker Dianne Warren (Cher, Ace of Base, Heart, etc., etc.) that's a bit awkward for PSB, but they manage to make it their own.

"I Made My Excuses And Left" tells a heart-wrenching story of crossing paths with an ex-lover who is with someone new.

"God Willing" is just a brief instrumental.

"Luna Park" drags on like some of their weaker B-sides.

"The Sodom & Gomorrah Show" is an over-the-top drama fest. Probably the best song here. (Reminiscent of "Shameless.")

"I'm With Stupid," the first single, tells the story of a romantic relationship between President Bush & Tony Blair.

All in all, this is a mixed bag of PSB. Luckily, the good outweighs the bad and after 20 years, I'm just happy that Pet Shop Boys are still around. There will be an American release date in June, but if it doesn't include the bonus disc, I HIGHLY recommend purchasing this version!

The song order on Fundamental is subtly balanced. "Psychological" is about the mind; "The Sodom and Gomorrah Show" is about the body. "Casanova in Hell" imagines an alternate history for a traditionally alluring historical figure. "Twentieth Century," which follows it, considers the fact that wars and political revolutions depend upon the elimination of personality and that they can never repress too much. The song is a sublime combination of political statement and personal advice that is applicable to romantic and other relationships.

There's a breathtaking directness on "Casanova in Hell." The lyrics describe the physicality of what's going on plainly, and I love the way that Tennant sings them, neither patronizing the subject nor belittling it. The song has Casanova going bad and getting brutal; it pictures him a celibate with an imagination, a soul not above revenge. The lyrics are beautifully poetic ("a secret chamber/ there to gape/ through velvet drape...").

The album also has marvelous and unexpected bite. "I'm With Stupid" is well-done, imaginative satire (switch lovers if you relate too much to its lyrics). The lyrics and music of "Integral" are forthright and uncomplicated, but edged with humor (at the end, Tennant purrs the word "Perfect"). This humor blessedly undermines and threatens the situation that the lyrics describe.

As always with the Pet Shop Boys, many of the songs here reflect a sense of dreaminess and softness. For instance, the experienced advice given by the lyrics of "Twentieth Century" are matched by the song's aching, throbbing music. "God Willing," an instrumental, reminds me of the superb "Scene D'amour" on Sarah Brightman's "Eden."

Its sense of passion and its willingness to engage in personal relationships save "Fundamental" from melancholy territory. On "Sodom and Gomorrah," this engagement gives the harrowing risks of gay male sexual and romantic attraction a sense of gain ("I did it and I don't regret the day") despite the circle of events and feelings that lead to loss in the song's repeated "sun, sex, sin, divine intervention, death and destruction" line. The breadth of perspective on the album is further indicated by the fact that it can approach politics humorously and draw personal meanings from them.

Taken as a whole, the album deals with varied subjects in varied ways, and is mature in the best sense of the word. I can't say it's my favorite Pet Shop Boys album (if only it had had a few more dance tracks!), but it is a remarkable album, and I think there is much to be gained from listening to it.

I have to agree with most of the reviewers here who rate this a mediocre album at best. It's main problem is a lack of focus in the production - there's just not a consistent sound to give the disc it's own unforgettable flavor. All of their previous full-lengths had a set palette of sounds that helped hold the album together - a sort of "point of view", a lens through which all of the songs were seen. "Please" was sophisticated disco; "Actually" was more of the same but far better; "Behavior" was lush retro analogue glory; "Very" was annoying rave dreck; "Bilingual" was multicultural Danny Tenaglia-esque house; "Nightlife" was high-energy, melodic, and trance-ish; and "Release" was The Guitar Album (ugh). "Fundamental" seems to crib from a bunch of different palettes, creating an album experience that has moments of brilliance, but loses that "I am lost in the coolest novel ever written" feeling that made "Actually" and "Nightlife" so great.

Nevertheless, "Minimal," "Integral," "Psychological," and "Fugitive" are all first-rate Pet Shop tracks. I wish the ballads had a little (or a lot) more melody to them - "Luna Park" makes some of the duds on "Release" sound brilliant by comparison. And why they put "Numb" on the album, I have no idea. They didn't write it, and it's terrible. Other reviewers have pointed out that the songwriter is some famous balladeer, but that doesn't matter. It could have been written by Cole Porter and it would still suck. I'll agree with the sentiment...world news is evil these days...but it's better to fight back with tracks like "Integral," which have real bite and anger, but also, somewhere, a little optimism.

I have a pet theory (no pun intended) that many of Neil & Chris' most brilliant melodies are winding up in their side-projects, like the "Closer to Heaven" stage production and the Battleship Potempkin pieces. Gentlemen, if you are - in some late-night moment of narcissism - reading these reviews, please know this listener won't be offended if you recycle some of that work into the next Pet Shop album.

That said, there is enough on "Fundamental" to keep fans hooked, if not completely satisfied, for the next year or so.

Another outstanding album from Pet Shop Boys. Their first completley new recording since "Release" in 2002 was well worth the wait. Be sure to get the special edition two
CD set which features, among other remixes, the song "In Private", originally written by Tennant and Lowe for Dusty Springfield, but now featuring the PSB with Elton John.